Blue Marble

Remote Sensing Part 5: Observing, Interpreting, Drawing Conclusions

Remote Sensing Part 5: Observing, Interpret...

1. For this part of the activity you will revisit and review observations and interpretations you have already made. You will then extend that information using the knowledge you have gained and additional observations you have made. This will allow you to advance your interpretations and draw conclusions or make inferences about what you have learned.

2. As you fill out information in the table on the next page, consider the following:

a. OBSERVATION: List a specific planetary body and include one observation you made. Your observation should be the specific identification criteria used to identify a specific feature.

b. FEATURE INTERPRETATION: Based on the identification criteria, name the feature that best matches. If there can be a potential misinterpretation or confusion between what the feature may be, include information to help you interpret the feature consistently.

c. ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS: Log additional observations you made of images in Part 4. If you found additional information about the planetary body from other sources (books, the internet), it’s a good idea to get into the habit of referencing those sources.

d. ADVANCED INTERPRETATIONS: Your additional observations and background knowledge gained from this activity and other sources of information should allow you to list advanced interpretations. These advanced interpretations allow you to make deeper connections that will help you make inferences or draw conclusions. As with all parts of the process of science, you must have evidence to support your interpretations and conclusions. Interpretations can change as you gain more knowledge.

e. CONCLUSIONS/INFERENCES ABOUT PROCESSES THAT SHAPE THE SURFACE: The information you include here are your conclusions or inferences about processes that shape the surface of the particular planetary body.

3. Log at least 3 observations, interpretations and conclusions. Your logged information should support the conclusions and inferences you make about processes that shape the surface of the planetary body/bodies you have observed.

Introduction & Material

Student and Teacher guides for teaching Blue Marble. The Millard South version is a condensed version of the original NASA activity.

Remote Sensing Part 1: Observations & Descriptions

1. Given one image per group from the BMM Explore Cards, OBSERVE and DESCRIBE in the space below.

a. As you write your description, do not name features or objects in the image. Instead, use descriptive words to describe what you see.

b. Someone will attempt to identify the image you describe.

2. Class Discussion: As a class, view all 8 images.

a. When called upon, read the group description to the class to see if they can correctly identify the image.

b. Discuss how the group could improve image description.

3. Based upon the class discussion, list 3 to 5 useful characteristics or ways to describe features in images.

4. Class Discussion: Description Characteristics.

What are these images all about? They are remote sensing images of Earth that focus on features related to four different geologic processes that help shape the surface of our planet. These processes are related to wind, water, volcanoes, and impacts (meteors striking the surface).

5. Class Discussion: Earth Processes and Geologic Features

6. Examine all 8 images shown on the BMM Explorer Cards. Complete the table below.

a. List which images match the given geologic process you think created the features shown in the images.

b. Explain the WHY. What is your reasoning for why you match an image to a process?

c. Attempt to name the feature in each image.

Remote Sensing Part 2: Identification Criteria

1. Identify the geologic feature that goes with the 4 different geologic processes (Aeolian, Fluvial, Volcanic, Impact).

a. Each card is organized by process. The back of the card identifies the geologic feature, the location of the picture and other visible features shown in the pictures.

2. Make observations of the different geologic features visible in the images on the feature chart.

3. In the tables for each process, use 2 check marks for each column to indicate which 2-criteria best describe each feature. Make changes or adjustments to listed criteria if you wish.

4. Create your own descriptions that can be used as other identification criteria for each feature.

Remote Sensing Part 3: Feature Recognition & Review

Remote Sensing Part 3: Feature Recognition...

The identification criteria you just developed should help you recognize these different geologic features in other images with confidence. You must use those criteria to support your identification of these features. Feel free to refine or add to your criteria as you continue with this activity. In order to help reinforce and review your feature recognition skills you will receive a new set of images to observe.

Directions:

1. Open the BMM EARTH FEATURE REVIEW IMAGES. Use the cards to complete the table below as you make observations of the images. In the table below you will:

a. List identification criteria for the main feature shown in the image.

b. Name the main geologic process that helped form that feature.

c. Based on your listed criteria, name the main geologic feature that best matches.

2. As you discuss your answers, you may experience how scientists (both professionals and students) do not always agree! Scientific debate and using evidence to back up interpretations are key elements of science.

a. Be open to changing your original identification of a feature if you can be convinced. It is not all about what answer is right or wrong. More importantly, it is about evidence that support your interpretation.

b. Not all scientists agree, which is an important aspect of how science progresses.

Remote Sensing Part 4: Using Earth for Planetary Comparisons

Remote Sensing Part 4: Using Earth for Planeta...

1. Open the BMM FEATURE CARDS PLANETARY.

2. Each group will examine the features for MARS and another solar system object of choice to include the MOON, VENUS, MERCURY and JOVIAN MOONS. Also, open the BMM PLUTO 2-1-16 Cards

3. Fill out all 3 tables below for the planetary body image chart (Mars, Pluto & Group Selection).

a. Use the identification criteria you developed and refined for features on Earth. You must use those criteria as evidence to support your identification of these features.

b. If there are characteristics that do not match your criteria for the feature on Earth or if you are making observations that cause you to be unsure about the identification of the feature, be sure to list those in the table.

c. Based on your observations and how well your criteria match a given feature, list your level of confidence in the last column. Be ready to defend your identification or discuss your uncertainty.

d. As you discuss your answers, you will likely experience again how scientists do not always agree! Remember, scientific debate and using evidence to back up your interpretations are key elements of science. It is not all about what answer is right or wrong. More importantly, it is about evidence and criteria that support your interpretation!